Westboro purse-snatching suspect is tracked by iPhone app

WESTBORO — A man whose wife's purse was snatched while she was loading groceries into her car used an iPhone application to locate her phone and the alleged thief.

According to the police report, the woman told police she was loading groceries into the back of her car Sunday at the Stop & Shop on Lyman Street when a man ran up to her and demanded that she hand over her purse. The woman said she was unable to hold on to the purse. The man got into his truck and sped away. The rear license plate on the man's vehicle was covered with a trash bag.

When the woman's husband arrived, he was able to use the "Find My iPhone" application to locate his wife's phone, which was in the stolen purse. The app showed the cell phone traveling westbound on Route 9 and then in a stationary position in the parking lot of Price Chopper in Shrewsbury.

Police found four credit cards belonging to the woman under the driver's seat of the suspect's vehicle. The woman's iPhone was also in the vehicle, police said.

Mason R. Bock, 46, of 179 Boston St., Apt. 33, Salem, was identified by the victim as the alleged thief. He was arrested and charged with unarmed robbery and assault and battery.

At his arraignment Monday in Westboro District Court, Judge Vito Virzi set bail at $25,000 cash or $250,000 with surety. According to court records, Mr. Bock has a seven-page criminal record. He served a 10- to 14-year sentence for carjacking and 2 years for larcenies. His case was continued to Oct. 7.